Hardik Pandya is joining the Punjab Kings, and only the official announcement is left. Mumbai Indians have agreed to part ways with their skipper and are adding left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh to the squad in a trade deal ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. Former India coach Ravi Shastri said that the all-rounder will be a threat when he is fit and performing. He is backing the player to impact the matches when he returns to the field.

Speaking on Extra Innings, Shastri called Hardik one of the best players in the shortest format when he is fit, while mentioning that his time away from the contest could have left him hungry to give his best.

“When he is fit and ready to play, he is one of the best in T20 cricket. He is a match-winner,” Shastri said.

He might be charged up to perform as he hasn’t been in action for a while. He could be eager to give his best and show what he is capable of.”

Hardik is also looking for a new and fresh challenge after their mediocre seasons with MI in his second stint. The paperwork for the proposed deal is complete.

He replaced Rohit Sharma as captain ahead of IPL 2024, but the team made it to the playoffs just once in 2025. In the other two campaigns, the five-time champions finished last and ninth.

Rohit is expected to return as a captain in the 20th season. Punjab will give a different environment to Pandya. The franchise missed out in the playoffs in 2026 after making it to the final in the 18th season of the competition. Hardik will play under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, who is also leading India in T20Is.

Hardik’s last competitive match was in the Indian Premier League 2026. He has missed important bilateral assignments, and there is no information about his return. He is currently at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

He was named in India A’s squad for the one-day series against Australia A in October. However, an injury to his right shin ended his chances of playing the games. He still has pain and has been told to rest before starting rehabilitation.

He was ruled out of the white-ball series against New Zealand. Hardik was not considered by Baroda for the  Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on November 14.

India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill recently spoke about Hardik’s importance. He wants the player to take part in domestic matches before returning to the national side. He will have to build match fitness before taking the field.

PBKS will be excited to have Hardik in the team as he can win matches with the bat and ball.